About the security content of Java for Mac OS X 10.5 Update 2

For the protection of our customers, Apple does not disclose, discuss, or confirm security issues until a full investigation has occurred and any necessary patches or releases are available. To learn more about Apple Product Security, see the Apple Product Security website.

Java for Mac OS X 10.5 Update 2

Impact: Visiting a maliciously crafted website may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: The Java plug-in does not block applets from launching file:// URLs. Visiting a website containing a maliciously crafted Java applet may allow a remote attacker to launch local files, which may lead to arbitrary code execution. This update addresses the issue through improved handling of URLs. This is an Apple-specific issue. Credit to Nitesh Dhanjani and Billy Rios for reporting this issue.

Impact: Visiting a maliciously crafted website may lead to arbitrary code execution

Description: An error checking issue leading to the use of an uninitialized variable exists in the Hash-based Message Authentication Code (HMAC) provider used for generating MD5 and SHA-1 hashes. Visiting a website containing a maliciously crafted Java applet may lead to arbitrary code execution. This update addresses the issue through improved error handling. This is an Apple-specific issue. Credit to Radim Marek for reporting this issue.

Description: Multiple vulnerabilities exist in Java 1.4.2_16, the most serious of which may allow untrusted Java applets to obtain elevated privileges. Visiting a web page containing a maliciously crafted Java applet may lead to arbitrary code execution. These issues are addressed by updating Java 1.4 to version 1.4.2_18. Further information is available via the Sun Java website at http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/ReleaseNotes.html

Description: Multiple vulnerabilities in Java 1.5.0_13, the most serious of which may allow untrusted Java applets to obtain elevated privileges. Visiting a web page containing a maliciously crafted Java applet may lead to arbitrary code execution. These issues are addressed by updating Java 1.5 to version 1.5.0_16. Further information is available via the Sun Java website at http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/ReleaseNotes.html

Description: Multiple vulnerabilities exist in Java 1.6.0_05, the most serious of which may allow untrusted Java applets to obtain elevated privileges. Visiting a web page containing a maliciously crafted Java applet may lead to arbitrary code execution. These issues are addressed by updating Java 1.6 to version 1.6.0_07. Further information is available via the Sun Java website at http://java.sun.com/javase/6/webnotes/ReleaseNotes.html

Impact: Limited ability of applications to use stronger cryptographic keys

Description: The default jurisdiction policy distributed with Java 1.5 on Mac OS X v10.5 restricts the maximum strength of cryptographic keys supported in Java Cryptography Extension (JCE) to 128 bits. This update addresses the issue by changing the default jurisdiction policy to the unlimited strength version. Credit to Bruno Harbulot of the University of Manchester for reporting this issue.

Important: Mention of third-party websites and products is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance or use of information or products found at third-party websites. Apple provides this only as a convenience to our users. Apple has not tested the information found on these sites and makes no representations regarding its accuracy or reliability. There are risks inherent in the use of any information or products found on the Internet, and Apple assumes no responsibility in this regard. Please understand that a third-party site is independent from Apple and that Apple has no control over the content on that website. Please contact the vendor for additional information.